The Treasury of Lives

Kunzang Chokyi Drolma (kun bzang chos kyi sgrol ma) was born in the Ngawa (rnga ba) region of Amdo (a mdo) and was active in the nineteenth century. She is known also as Shukchung Khandroma (shug chung mkha' 'gro ma), indicating a connection to Shukchung Monastery (shug chung dgon pa).

What little is known about her life comes from the History of the Jonang Tradition (jo nang chos 'byung zla ba'i sgron me) by Dzamtang Khenpo Lodro Drakpa ('dzam thang mkhan po blo gros grags pa, 1920-1975). This history chronicles the lives of Jonang masters including Setrul Ngawang Kunga Puntsok (se sprul ngag dbang kun dga' phun tshogs, 1896-1957), a master from Dzamtang, who is described as travelling with his retinue to visit Shukchung Khandroma. In advance of meeting her, Setrul Ngawang Kunga Puntsok visualized a wisdom ḍākinī adorned in beautiful clothing who gave him a jeweled box containing vast teachings inside. When they met, Setrul was pleased by Khandroma's voice and her songs (mgur).

Though little else is known about her life, the fact that this passage appears in the life story of a major Jonang figure may attest to her significance and popularity in nineteenth century Ngawa.

 

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